Men's Hockey | 3/5/2026 4:00:00 PM
York University Lions men's hockey alumnus Aiden MacIntosh is the latest Lion to make a foray into the professional ranks.
The soon-to-be business and society graduate, who just wrapped up his fourth and final season at York, put pen to paper on a professional tryout contract (PTO) with the Evansville Thunderbolts of the SPHL on Feb. 19, which was then converted to a Standard Player Contract (SPC) on Feb. 28. A 6'0, 198-pound forward, MacIntosh becomes the third member of the 2025-26 team to turn professional, following in the footsteps of Owen Gilhula and Cole Beamin, who signed pro deals in January, with Gilhula signing in France and Beamin going to the ECHL.
The Thunderbolts, based out Evansville, Ind., sit second in the 11-team SPHL with a record of 24-15-7 for 55 points. MacIntosh, the pride of Moncton N.B., has made an immediate impact with his new team, putting up two goals and two assists in six games played, earning points in four of those six. The goals came in each of his first two professional games, including a go-ahead goal in the second period of a 3-2 Thunderbolts win over the Peoria Rivermen in his pro debut. He then followed that up the next night with an insurance marker in a 3-0 shutout of the Riverman in his first home game as a Thunderbolt.
MacIntosh, who scored in his final OUA game and added an assist in a 6-4 Lions win over Western, made a tremendous impact in the community and with his teammates during his four seasons as a Lion, taking home a pair of team awards. In 2023-24, he was named the winner of the David Kosoy Best Teammate Award, given to the men's hockey player who, in the opinion of his teammates, best exemplifies the characteristics of a great teammate. Then, in 2024-25, he earned the Bob Hedley Unsung Hero Award, given to the player who, in the opinion of his teammates, put forward the greatest effort for team success while sacrificing his own personal success. He has been extremely active in the community with The Lion Heart Initiative and its partnership with the Jane & Finch Boys & Girls Club.
On the ice, MacIntosh finishes his York career having played in 92 games, scoring 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points. The former Trenton Golden Hawk enjoyed a breakout campaign in his final season in the red and white, potting a career-high seven goals and adding six assists for a career-best 13 points. Those numbers were good for third on the team in goals and a tie for fourth in points with Ethan Strik and Hunter Brown.
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